Infernofest.org

I thought I had posted about Infernofest’s favorite guys, Tom Zinser and Terry Van Aucker, but nothing here. Must have dreamed it. (Maybe too much to dream last night).

Tom and Terry have been a part of almost every Infernofest and we can always count on them for a solid set of classic songs, done with taste and style. I recently had the opportunity to listen to all their own material from back in the day and they should have had more fame. They had the chops and the vocals and just everything that a great band should have.

Anyway; this year’s Infernofest was to have been them doing Owen B material and not the Wildlife. Drummer Bob Tousignant couldn’t make it to the fest so Wooster’s favorite drummer, Steve Rousseau, sat in with Tom and Terry. Steve is one of those drummers who makes it look so easy and never misses a beat. So a big shout out to Steve for helping. Tom, Terry and Steve were also joined by another great: Dave Workman. What a solid set of songs they played. Thanks to all for giving us another great year of tunes!!

Steve Rousseau drumming for Owen B

Owen B's Terry Van Aucker

Owen B's Tom Zinser

Dave, Steve, Terry and Tom

2008 brought the Dantes to the Infernofest stage for what they claim was their last performance together.  Wow; we feel so honored that they came back for this gig.

But to the beginning of the Dantes in our area back in ”the Day”. I first caught the Dantes at a teen club in Loudonville OH of all places. Wearing my mod lime green and purple striped pants and sleeveless top I thought I was the  most mod person in Ohio; until I saw the Dantes on stage. Damn, now there was a band with stage presence, the moves and the music to back it all up. Early Stones done to perfection and other bluesy great tunes; along with some originals. I tried to catch them whenever them came north from Columbus. You KNEW when they were playing whatever teen club cos the parking lots were full and the clubs packed with hot sweaty teens loving the band.

Fast forward to the first Infernofest; lead singer, Barry Hayden, had no desire to perform, but did us the honors of being our MC (Thanks Barry). After that first show in 99, I had so many requests to find the other Dantes. I did a people search and  found Dave Workman (lead guitar) in San Francisco. He immediately wrote back, remembered me and said he would play the next fest.  Dave came back in 2000, 2001 and 2003 and played with many other bands and performers; but no Dantes. Finally after the 03 show I got serious, found all of the Dantes and got all to commit. So Lynn  Wehr

Joe Hinton back in the groove for the Dantes, Infernofest 2008

Carter Holliday of the Dantes on bass Infernofest 08

Dantes Barry Hayden singing a song Infernofest 2008

Dantes Dave Workman bending the strings at Infernofest 2008

(guitar) came up from Columbus, where Barry also resides,  Joe Hinton (drums) flew in  from Oregon and Carter Holliday (bass) came up from VA. It was magic and I felt like my dream had come true! Infernofest took a long hiatus while I decided whether to put on another one or not. After deciding yes; the Dantes were the first band I got in touch with. As luck would have it; they wanted to do a show the night before; at the legendary Valley Dale, where they reigned thru their stint as the Dantes. This would be the first they had played their hometown of Columbus since their reuniting in the early 90′s.

(On a side-note, I find it amazing that they are one of the few bands who played together in the 60′s that have all members still living. Not sure if they have lived better lifestyles or just have better genes, but they must be doing something right! )

One of my best friends and I made the trip to Valley Dale that Friday night before Infernofest 2008 and had a blast. They had fans there who had not seen any of them since the 60′s and the place was packed. The night was filmed and taped and on another post you will find info if you would like to own that dvd (you won’t be disappointed).

Infernofest  would like to thank Joe, Carter, Dave, Lynn and Barry for coming to our gig, for no dough and doing such a bang-up job. You are all very dear to my heart and to have you play two Infernofests made me one happy gal!

Lynn Wehr taking a break on the Infernofest stage

I met alot of people at the Inferno (YMCA) back “in the day” and some have stayed life long friends, like Mike. Mike has always had a love for the music of the 60′s and knows more about the Mansfield music scene than anyone I know.

After being involved with all the Infernofests, it was time for Mike to have his 45 minute set on the Infernofest stage. He put together a band and named it Shindig (no dancers but would have added a nice touch).

Was great to see Mike shine along with bandmates Tom Peterson and Dan Maurice. Mario Kyrakides was to have drummed for Shindig but was unable to make the gig, so Es-Shades drummer, Rich Carmichael did the honors.  Shindig’s love of the early Beatles and Stones was evident in their set and the tunes brought back lots of great memories for many of us.

Shindig was also joined by local Mansfield legend, Sir Tim of Sir Timothy and the Royals/Ohio Express, Tim Corwin, who pulled out the stops doing an Express hit. Thanks Tim for coming back to the Infernofest stage.

Mike, Tom and Dan: Backstage at Infernofest 2008

Rich Carmichael

A big thanks to Mike for putting together this band and get us all in the groove!

Shindig and Tim Corwin

Mark Lance, bassist, Es-Shades, Infernofest

Richard Carmichael, drummer, Es-Shades, Infernofest 2008

Cat Fissell Rood,guitar, Es-Shades, Infernofest 2008

Cat Fissell, lead guitar, Es-Shades, Infernofest 2008

Infernofest 2008 finally brought Cat Rood (Fissell) home to her roots and onstage for a spellbinding set with old bandmates and new ones also.

The Es-Shades first were formed in 1965 when they were all high school students from Lodi, Spencer and Sullivan, Ohio. Their 1968 originals of “Anyday, Anywhere” and “Without My Love” are highly valued by collectors worldwide and have been included on CD compilations.  It has been amazing to see the buzz about this 60′s band all over the internet and we were thrilled to have Cat and Mark and Richard Carmichael put the band together for a set at Infernofest.

Cat (lead guitar), Mark (bass) and Richard (drums) were joined onstage with Tom Weinclaw on keys and Tom Fallon on guitar.

Alot of old friends were on hand to welcome back one of the bands of their youth and they were joined by new converts to the music of the Es-Shades.

I personally want to thank long time friend Cat for taking time off her busy schedule from so far away (CA), playing for no dough and for knocking me out with such fabulous guitar playing!!

Tom Fallon, Es-Shades, Infernofest 2008

Tom Weinclaw, keys, Es-Shades, Infernofest 2008

Blue Steel may have been new to the Infernofest stage in 2008, but they have a history in the local scene that dates back to the mid 60′s in nearby Wooster Ohio. Guitarist Bob Collard and vocalist/guitarist/harp player Jim Mc Daid first formed the band back ”in the day”, disbanded in 1969 and came back together in 2003, adding Paul Good on drums and Tim Taylor on bass.

Infernofest friend, Dave Mess, insisted that I go take a listen to Blue Steel to be part of Infernofest 08. I was blown away with their  renditions of early Stones, CCR and others.  Their groove is there for every song and we were proud to add them to the lineup for 2008. The crowd agreed and we have received tons of calls, emails and cards thanking us for adding them to our show.

So thanks to Dave for bringing them to my attention and thanks to Jim, Bob, Paul and Tim for playing and adding a new dimension to Infernofest. You guys wowed us all!

Blue Steel's drummer

Blue Steel's bassist

Blue Steel's vocalist/harp player/guitarist

Blue Steel's Bob Collard